Countertop Positionable Refrigeration Device

ABSTRACT

A countertop positionable refrigeration device for countertop controlled storage of cosmetics includes a refrigerator, which is substantially cuboid. The refrigerator comprises a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters. The refrigerator has a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm. A plurality of shelves is selectively engageable to the refrigerator so that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment. Items, such as cosmetics, are stowable upon the shelves and are cooled by the refrigerator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to refrigeration devices and more particularlypertains to a new refrigeration device for countertop controlled storageof cosmetics. The present invention discloses a refrigeration devicecomprising a portable, electrically powered refrigerator sized forcountertop use and having a transparent door and a plurality of storageshelves for stowing and cooling cosmetics.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to refrigeration devices. What is lacking in theprior art is a refrigeration device comprising a portable, electricallypowered refrigerator sized for countertop use and having a transparentdoor and a plurality of storage shelves for stowing and coolingcosmetics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a refrigerator, which is substantially cuboid. Therefrigerator comprises a storage compartment having a volume of from2.50 to 4.00 liters. The refrigerator has a height of between 20.0 and30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between15.0 and 25.0 cm. A plurality of shelves is selectively engageable tothe refrigerator so that the shelves are positioned within the storagecompartment. The shelves are configured to stow items, such ascosmetics, and the refrigerator is configured to cool the items.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a countertop positionablerefrigeration device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through9 thereof, a new refrigeration device embodying the principles andconcepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated bythe reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 , the countertop positionablerefrigeration device 10 generally comprises a refrigerator 12, which issubstantially cuboid. The refrigerator 12 comprises a storagecompartment 14 having a volume 16 of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters. Therefrigerator 12 has a height 18 of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width 20of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth 22 of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm.The storage compartment 14 may have a volume 16 of from 1.90 to 2.10liters, with the refrigerator 12 having a height 18 of between 24.0 and25.0 cm, a width 20 of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth 22 ofbetween 18.0 and 19.0 cm.

The refrigerator 12 comprises a housing 24, which defines an interiorspace 26 and which has an open front 28. A wall 30 is engaged to thehousing 24 and is positioned in the interior space 26. The wall 30defines the storage compartment 14 and a mechanical compartment 32within the interior space 26. Insulation 34 is positioned in themechanical compartment 32 and extends substantially over the wall 30.The insulation 34 is configured to limit heat transfer between thestorage compartment 14 and the mechanical compartment 32.

A compressor 36 is engaged to the housing 24 and is positioned in themechanical compartment 32. An evaporation coil 38 is positioned in themechanical compartment 32 and is in thermal contact with the wall 30.The evaporation coil 38 is operationally engaged to and extends from thecompressor 36. An opening 40 is positioned in the wall proximate to theevaporation coil 38. The opening 40 is configured to allow access to theevaporation coil 38. A panel 42 is selectively engageable to the wall 30to close the opening 40.

A condenser coil 44 is positioned externally to the housing 24. Thecondenser coil 44 is operationally engaged to the evaporation coil 38and the compressor 36. A refrigerant 46 is positioned in the evaporationcoil 38, the condenser coil 44, and the compressor 36. The compressor 36is positioned to compress the refrigerant 46 so that the refrigerant 46expands within the evaporation coil 38. The evaporation coil 38 isconfigured to absorb heat from the storage compartment 14. Therefrigerant 46 passes to the condenser coil 44 to be condensed prior toreturning to the compressor 36.

A port 48 is engaged to the housing 24 and is operationally engaged tothe compressor 36. The port 48 is configured to engage a plug of a powercord (not shown) to operationally engage the compressor 36 to a sourceof electrical current. The present invention also anticipates arechargeable battery (not shown), which is positioned in the mechanicalcompartment 32 and which is operationally engaged to the port 48 and thecompressor 36. The rechargeable battery would serve as an alternative orbackup power source for the compressor 36.

A door 50 is hingedly engaged to the housing 24 and is positioned toselectively close the open front 28. The door 50 is substantiallytransparent. A handle 52 is engaged to the door 50. The handle 52comprises a grasp 54, which is engaged to and which extends from thedoor 50, or a recess 56, which extends into the door 50. The grasp 54and the recess 56 are configured for insertion of one or more digits ofa hand of a user to hinge the door 50. An inner gasket 58 is engaged tothe housing 24 and extends circumferentially around the open front 28.An outer gasket 60 is engaged to and extends circumferentially aroundthe door 50. The outer gasket 60 sealably engages the inner gasket 58upon hinging of the door 50 to close the open front 28.

A plurality of shelves 62, which comprises from two to four shelves 62,is selectively engageable to the refrigerator 12 so that the shelves 62are positioned within the storage compartment 14. The shelves 62 areconfigured to stow items, such as cosmetics, and the refrigerator 12 isconfigured to cool the items.

A plurality of fasteners 64 is engaged to the refrigerator 12 and ispositioned within the storage compartment 14. Respective fasteners 64are configured to selectively engage a respective shelf 62 so that therespective shelf 62 is removably engaged to the respective fasteners 64and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom 66 of the storagecompartment 14. Each fastener 64 may comprise a rail 68, which isslidably engaged to a respective opposed side 70 of the storagecompartment 14, or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to,channels, clips, and the like. The rail 68 is selectively positionablerelative to the bottom 66 of the storage compartment 14, therebyallowing the user to selectively position the shelves 62 relative to thebottom 66 of the storage compartment 14.

A plurality of feet 72 is engaged to a lower end 74 of the refrigerator12. The feet 72 are configured to elevate the lower end 74 of therefrigerator 12 from a surface upon which the refrigerator 12 ispositioned. As shown in FIG. 7 , the plurality of feet 72 comprises fourfeet 72, which are positioned singly proximate to each corner 76 of thelower end 74 of the refrigerator 12. Each foot 72 comprises a threadedrod 78, which is engaged to and which extends axially from a resilientdisc 80, which comprises one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer.The threaded rod 78 is selectively threadedly insertable into arespective threaded channel 82, which extends into the lower end 74 ofthe refrigerator 12. The feet 72 thus are configured to level therefrigerator 12 on the surface.

In use, the refrigerator 12 is positioned in a desired location, such ason a bathroom vanity, as shown in FIG. 8 , atop of a dresser, or thelike. Power is provided by engaging the port 48 to a source ofelectrical current. The shelves 62 are positioned in the storagecompartment 14 as suits the user for stowing their items. The items,such as cosmetics, then are positioned upon the shelves 62 and arecooled by the refrigerator 12.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. A countertop positionable refrigeration device comprising: a refrigerator, the refrigerator being substantially cuboid, the refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm; and a plurality of shelves selectively engageable to the refrigerator, such that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment, wherein the shelves are configured for stowing of items and the refrigerator is configured for cooling the items.
 2. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment has a volume of from 1.90 to 2.10 liters, the refrigerator has a height of between 24.0 and 25.0 cm, a width of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm.
 3. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator comprises: a housing defining an interior space, the housing having an open front; a wall engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the wall defining the storage compartment and a mechanical compartment within the interior space; insulation positioned in the mechanical compartment and extending substantially over the wall, wherein the insulation is configured for limiting heat transfer between the storage compartment and the mechanical compartment; a compressor engaged to the housing and positioned in the mechanical compartment; an evaporation coil positioned in the mechanical compartment and being in thermal contact with the wall, the evaporation coil being operationally engaged to and extending from the compressor; a condenser coil positioned externally to the housing, the condenser coil being operationally engaged to the evaporation coil and the compressor; a refrigerant positioned in the evaporation coil, the condenser coil, and the compressor, such that the compressor is positioned for compressing the refrigerant, such that the refrigerant expands within the evaporation coil, wherein the evaporation coil is configured for absorbing heat from the storage compartment, such that the refrigerant passes to the condenser coil for condensing prior to returning to the compressor; a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the compressor, wherein the port is configured for engaging a plug of a power cord for operationally engaging the compressor to a source of electrical current; a door hingedly engaged to the housing and being positioned for selectively closing the open front, the door being substantially transparent; and a handle engaged to the door.
 4. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, wherein the handle comprises a grasp engaged to and extending from the door or a recess extending into the door, wherein the grasp and the recess are configured for insertion of one or more digits of a hand of a user for hinging the door.
 5. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, further including: an inner gasket engaged to the housing and extending circumferentially around the open front; and an outer gasket engaged to and extending circumferentially around the door, such that the outer gasket sealably engages the inner gasket upon hinging of the door for closing the open front.
 6. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, further including: an opening positioned in the wall proximate to the evaporation coil, wherein the opening is configured for accessing the evaporation coil; and a panel selectively engageable to the wall for closing the opening.
 7. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shelves comprising from two to four shelves.
 8. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, further including a plurality of fasteners engaged to the refrigerator and positioned within the storage compartment, respective fasteners being configured for selectively engaging a respective shelf, such that the respective shelf is removably engaged to the respective fasteners and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom of the storage compartment.
 9. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 8, wherein each fastener comprises a rail slidably engaged to a respective opposed side of the storage compartment, such that the rail is selectively positionable relative to the bottom of the storage compartment.
 10. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, further including a plurality of feet engaged to a lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for elevating the lower end of the refrigerator from a surface upon which the refrigerator is positioned.
 11. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of feet comprising four feet positioned singly proximate to each corner of the lower end of the refrigerator.
 12. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 10, wherein each foot comprises a threaded rod engaged to and extending axially from a resilient disc, such that the threaded rod is selectively threadedly insertable into a respective threaded channel extending into the lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for leveling the refrigerator on the surface.
 13. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 12, wherein the resilient disc comprises one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer.
 14. A countertop positionable refrigeration device comprising: a refrigerator, the refrigerator being substantially cuboid, the refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, the storage compartment having a volume of from 1.90 to 2.10 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 24.0 and 25.0 cm, a width of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, the refrigerator comprising: a housing defining an interior space, the housing having an open front, a wall engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the wall defining the storage compartment and a mechanical compartment within the interior space, insulation positioned in the mechanical compartment and extending substantially over the wall, wherein the insulation is configured for limiting heat transfer between the storage compartment and the mechanical compartment, a compressor engaged to the housing and positioned in the mechanical compartment, an evaporation coil positioned in the mechanical compartment and being in thermal contact with the wall, the evaporation coil being operationally engaged to and extending from the compressor, a condenser coil positioned externally to the housing, the condenser coil being operationally engaged to the evaporation coil and the compressor, a refrigerant positioned in the evaporation coil, the condenser coil, and the compressor, such that the compressor is positioned for compressing the refrigerant, such that the refrigerant expands within the evaporation coil, wherein the evaporation coil is configured for absorbing heat from the storage compartment, such that the refrigerant passes to the condenser coil for condensing prior to returning to the compressor, a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the compressor, wherein the port is configured for engaging a plug of a power cord for operationally engaging the compressor to a source of electrical current, a door hingedly engaged to the housing and being positioned for selectively closing the open front, the door being substantially transparent, a handle engaged to the door, the handle comprising a grasp engaged to and extending from the door or a recess extending into the door, wherein the grasp and the recess are configured for insertion of one or more digits of a hand of a user for hinging the door, an inner gasket engaged to the housing and extending circumferentially around the open front, and an outer gasket engaged to and extending circumferentially around the door, such that the outer gasket sealably engages the inner gasket upon hinging of the door for closing the open front; an opening positioned in the wall proximate to the evaporation coil, wherein the opening is configured for accessing the evaporation coil; a panel selectively engageable to the wall for closing the opening; a plurality of shelves selectively engageable to the refrigerator, such that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment, wherein the shelves are configured for stowing of items and the refrigerator is configured for cooling the items, the plurality of shelves comprising from two to four shelves; a plurality of fasteners engaged to the refrigerator and positioned within the storage compartment, respective fasteners being configured for selectively engaging a respective shelf, such that the respective shelf is removably engaged to the respective fasteners and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom of the storage compartment, each fastener comprising a rail slidably engaged to a respective opposed side of the storage compartment, such that the rail is selectively positionable relative to the bottom of the storage compartment; and a plurality of feet engaged to a lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for elevating the lower end of the refrigerator from a surface upon which the refrigerator is positioned, the plurality of feet comprising four feet positioned singly proximate to each corner of the lower end of the refrigerator, each foot comprising a threaded rod engaged to and extending axially from a resilient disc, such that the threaded rod is selectively threadedly insertable into a respective threaded channel extending into the lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for leveling the refrigerator on the surface, the resilient disc comprising one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer. 